Friday, February 19, 2010

DEWEY ERNEY, JAZZ VOCALIST AND INTERPRETER OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK


Jazz vocalist and interpreter of the Great American Songbook Dewey Erney, was born on February 19, 1937. Erney has often been compared Tony Bennet and Frank Sinatra, but his voice is actually most similar to that of the late Mel Tormé.

Jazz writers, reviewers, and other musicians have given warm--even rave--reviews concerning Dewey Erney's personal appearances and recordings. It is significant that Dewey has never received a negative review. This is not to say that he isn't appreciated by the general audiences as well. He has that rare gift of being able to entertain and "move" his audiences while being appreciated by the top-flight musicians he consistently works with. The remarks most often heard deal with the musicianship and sincerity of the performance. It is obvious to everyone just how much Dewey Erney loves the music he is performing.
Dewey's vinyl recordings "A Beautiful Friendship" and "The Second Set," with the brilliant guitarist Ron Escheté and his trio, received terrific acclaim and air play (4 Stars by Leonard Feather of the LA Times). His five compact discs "Standards of Excellence", volumes I thru 5 are receiving kudos for the sheer musicality and honesty displayed. Dewey has all the necessary elements that make a great singer: an excellent voice, phrasing and sense of timing, proper use of dynamics, clear diction, honest heartfelt emotion, musical integrity, and great taste in the material he selects.
He truly loves the music he sings and he persuades you to love it too. The music is an extension of him as a person. Dewey probably has a larger repertoire than any other singer on the planet. He knows well over 1,000 songs by memory and can interpret them in his own distinctive way.
Through the years, Dewey has performed at the most prestigious club and concert venues in the Southern California area--jazz clubs such as Alfonse's in Toluca Lake, Steamer's in Fullerton, Kikuya in Huntington Beach, The Jazz Bakery in Culver City, Ca Del Solé in North Hollywood concert settings: guest vocalist with the Riverside Symphony Orchestra, 8 summers as the vocalist with the Long Beach Municipal Band, performances at the Carpenter's Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, and the list goes on. Dewey has also appeared in many jazz festivals, including the Manassas Jazz Festival in Manassas, Virginia, and the Hyatt Newporter's Jazz Festival in Newport Beach, CA.
Here are some of the musicians that Dewey has performed with over the years: Ron Escheté, Tom Ranior, Gene Harris, Abe and Sam Most, Jake Hanna, Jeff Hamilton, Joe La Barbara, Luther Hughes, Jack Prather, Daniel and Benjamin May, David Derge, Tom Kubis, Alan Broadbent, Dan St. Marseille, Denny Dennis, Andy Simpkins, Dave Mackay, Brian O'Rourke, Doug MacDonald, Paul Kreibich, Bob Cooper, Frank Rosolino, Bill Berry, Chuck Bergborer, Tom Warrington, Bob Cooper, Frank Rosolino, Marty Harris, Gerry Schroeder, Ross Tompkins, Jack Sheldon and Lou Levy to name a few.
Dewey's Compact Discs "Dearly Beloved," "You and The Night and The Music", "Time Was", "You'd Be So Nice To Come To", and "Shades of Love" are being played on radio stations all over the country and sales are consistently on the up-swing.
There is probably one quote that describes Dewey's musical life best -- "If you love the melody, if you love the lyric, you'll love Dewey Erney."
Dewey Erney sings.
Reference - Ron Escheté. (Jazz guitarist)


Blogger's Note Pad


CDs NOW AVAILABLE!


Two of Dewey's latest CDs are now available for purchase! The first, " I Remember You, Johnny Mercer, is a wonderful album that he recorded in 1986, but it was never released by the label. Finally, though, it has now been released on CD. The other new CD, Songs in Our Hearts, is a 2-disc set that he recorded "live" with his longtime friend and pianist Gerry Schroeder at Grace First Presbyterian Church. To enjoy both of these, check them out.

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